Trini’s Livin’ In Xisle: Lasana ‘Sana’ Philbert

The series titled Trini’s Livin’ In Xisle is meant to highlight the narratives, experiences and achievements of Trinidadians and Tobagonians residing overseas. The purpose of this series is to showcase these Trinbagonians and share their enunciated stories with the world!

Trinidad Immigrants (Trini’s In Xisle)

In 2017, it is estimated 235,000 persons migrated from Trinidad and Tobago to the United States, with the majority of these new Trini’s Livin’ In Xisle were “likely to be employed in management, business, science, and arts occupations (37 percent). For many Trinidadians leaving the island is a conundrum because it affords an opportunity for individual progression but at times at a personal sacrifice. Having to assimilate into a new culture is never easy especially a new culture where your racial identity is paramount to how you are perceived by the larger community.

Sana: A Trini Livin’ In Xisle

Lasana “Sana” Philbert, is the author of the book of poems entitled “Thoughts from an Isolated Soul.” He was born in Barataria, Trinidad and migrated to New York City in his early teens. He attended Campus Magnet High School, in Queens New York; then the School for Art and Business in Carona, Queens. Several years later he graduated from Bard College. Currently, he’s a writer/poet/author who enjoys poetry literature, history, academic research and writing, political science, and travelling.

Sana is also an aspiring entrepreneur and his retail business is based in Trinidad, a place he now spends most of his time. His experiences residing abroad are many, but the most noteworthy to date is when his first book was housed at Book World, in the Dubai Mall, UAE back in April 2019. This made him the first Trinidadian to date, to have their book showcased at this world-famous destination.

For more about Sana, you can find him on Instagram blog @poemsbySana / Twitter @poemsbySana.

Copies of his book, “Thoughts from an Isolated Soul,” can be purchased on Amazon

Here is his brief profile:

• Name: Lasana Philbert
• Migrated from Trinidad: Early teens.
• Earliest memory of Trinidad: Attending Barataria Anglican Primary school just before they build it in concrete.
• Misses most about Trinidad: Playing three-hole marbles for boekey.
• What are you most afraid of right now: Losing our unique diverse culture to illegal migrants and crime.
• The happiest moment of your Life: Being among the first Trinidadians authors to have my book house in Book World in Dubai (UAE).
• The saddest moment of your life: When I lost my grandfather in 2003.
• Who is the most influential person in your life: Prophet Muhammad
• Do you plan on returning to Trinidad to live and why: I recently moved back here, but spend my time traveling and working. I came home because my mom loves her home more than anywhere else. So I’m obliged to support her, and that meant me being here with for as long as she needs me.

How to Enter?

Do you want to be featured in the Trini’s Livin’ In X-isle series? Participation only requires five (5) minutes of your time to complete the 10-question survey @ http://bit.ly/Trinis-In-X-Isle.  Each week I will feature one Trini’s Livin’ In X-isle submission on TriniInXisle. 

In conclusion, if you are interested in participating or know of other Trinidadians living abroad; share the survey http://bit.ly/Trinis-In-X-Isle link. You can subscribe to this blog to see future Trini’s Livin’ In X-isle stories.